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Ukraine’s Interceptor Drone Downs Russia’s Jet-Powered Shahed for the First Time
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Ukraine has for the first time used a domestically produced interceptor drone to destroy a Russian Geran-3—known internationally as the Iranian Shahed-238—during an overnight attack.
According to Defence Blog, the engagement was confirmed by the Serhii Sternenko charitable foundation, which supplies interception systems to Ukrainian frontline units.
In a statement cited by the outlet, the foundation said: “Tonight, our soldiers for the first time used Ukrainian-made Sting interceptor drones to shoot down several jet-powered Shaheds.”
The Sting system, developed by Ukrainian engineers, is designed specifically for drone-on-drone engagements. As noted by Defence Blog, the platform follows a quadcopter configuration equipped with a forward-mounted warhead and a stabilized camera dome.
Operators guide the drone using VR goggles, allowing direct pursuit of incoming UAVs. The system can exceed 100 miles per hour and reach altitudes of roughly 3,000 meters—performance characteristics necessary to intercept the fast, low-signature Shahed-238 before it descends toward populated areas or energy facilities.
The Shahed-238, rebranded by Russia as the Geran-3, represents a more challenging target than earlier propeller-driven Shahed models due to its jet engine, reduced detection profile, and higher approach speeds.
Defence Blog reported that this new threat has accelerated Ukraine’s efforts to field agile, low-cost interception technologies that operate alongside conventional air-defense assets.
Volunteer groups and military units have been testing the Sting in combat conditions for several months, according to Defence Blog. While the UAV has been used operationally before, this is the first documented case of a successful interception of the jet-powered Shahed-238, a drone roughly comparable in size to a light aircraft.
Earlier in November, Ukrainian forces captured an intact Russian-Iranian Shahed-3 drone equipped with a camera, mesh-network modem, and foreign-made components. The drone uses a Chinese Telefly JT80 turbojet engine and contains 45 foreign parts—half from the US—providing insights into its long-range control and electronic warfare resistance systems.
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